Kitten Food

Find a variety of Meow Mix® kitten food recipes with the tastes kitties want and the nutrition they need. Plus, get answers to common questions about what, when and how to feed a kitten.

Crunchy Dry Food

Classic Kibbles

Looking for a classic dry kitten food with an irresistible taste? Check out these tried-and-true options to find one that′s just right for your little furball.

Dual-Textured Dry Food

Meow Mix Tender Centers®

Surprise and delight your favorite little feline with a meal that′s crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. These dual-textured dishes come in several exciting flavor combos.

Benefits of Kitten Food

A quality kitten food can help support a growing feline in several ways. Compared to foods designed uniquely for adult cats, these recipes have more of certain nutrients to help provide specific benefits:

  • More protein and calories help support proper growth.
  • Increased amounts of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc and iron help support developing strong bones and teeth.
  • Higher levels of vitamin C and vitamin E help support a healthy immune system.
  • DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, helps support healthy brain development

Plus, Meow Mix® kitten recipes feature mouthwatering flavors that are sure to be a hit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Feed a Kitten

If you′re feeding a kitten for the first time, it′s totally normal to have questions. So we consulted with Dr. Leslie Hancock-Monroe, our in-house veterinary expert, for answers. Here′s her advice.

Even though kittens won′t be fully weaned until six to eight weeks of age, they usually start to nibble on solid food at three to four weeks old. So, when they reach that age, start keeping kitten kibble available to them at all times.

Some kittens may like it if you moisten their food as they transition from a diet entirely of mother’s milk. When you wet your kitten′s food, use no more than one part warm (not hot) water to three parts kitten food, and replace it often to ensure freshness.

After weaning, kittens will usually eat either dry or moist food. They mimic what their mothers eat, so if you give their mom a variety of food textures, kittens will also likely learn to like variety.

Growing kitties have specific nutritional needs, so not just any cat food will do. Some cat foods may be suitable for kittens even if they don′t say ′′kitten′′ on the front, but many are not. Make sure the nutritional adequacy statement, which tells you who the food is made for, says that it′s for ′′growth and reproduction,′′ ′′all life stages" or “kittens” specifically. Also be sure to follow the kitten-specific feeding guidelines on the package.

Check the back of your Meow Mix® kitten food package for specific feeding guidelines. How much to serve and how often depends on the specific recipe, as well as your kitten′s age and/or weight. When in doubt, ask kitty′s doc. And if your little one has any special medical needs, always follow your vet's recommended feeding instructions.

Avoid giving your kitten cow′s milk, goat′s milk … or any milk a person might drink. The only kinds of milk that are healthy for kittens are their mom′s milk or a kitten milk replacer. Other kinds don′t have the right nutritional balance for cats — and may even make them sick.

Kittens normally start nibbling at solid kitten food when they′re about three to four weeks old, before they′re even weaned. At around six to eight weeks of age, they′ll typically be weaned and eating the solid food exclusively.

They can continue a diet of all kitten food until about 12 months of age (or a little longer for a large breed cat, like a Maine coon). Once they′ve reached their expected adult weight, you can start transitioning to an adult cat food. Make the switch gradually over the course of seven to 10 days, mixing a little more of the adult cat food in with the kitten food each day.

The best kitten food for your cat will not only have a taste your kitty loves — it will also be ′′complete and balanced′′ specifically for kittens (rather than adults). Check the nutritional statement in the small print on the label, and make sure it says it′s for ′′growth and reproduction′′, “kittens” or ′′all life stages." This means that it will provide all the nutrients your growing furball needs, in the right ratios for kittenhood.

That′s one reason it′s important to choose a commercially made recipe from a reputable brand. Homemade kitten food or other alternative options are rarely balanced or safe, but a trusted cat food company will have expertise to make sure the precise nutrient needs of a kitten are met.

The Meow Mix® recipes above are all great choices for healthy kittens, so the best one for your cat is a matter of preference. They may even have multiple favorites!

All Things Cat, All in One Place

Questions about how to care for your cat? Or maybe you′re just curious why cats do what they do. We get it, and we′ve got you covered. Check out our cat blog posts for the tips, tricks and answers you′re craving